Gerda - humanist celebrant from Lithuania

Gerda Surgautaitė founded Laimingas Žmogus with her best friend Urtė Žukauskaitė-Zabukė because Urtė wanted a meaningful wedding ceremony, but without religion. After Urtė discovered humanist ceremonies she was very inspired to have one. Gerda helped her by becoming the historically first Lithuanian humanist celebrant and leading the wedding ceremony. Gerda was very kind and shared with us her thoughts on humanist ceremonies, being a humanist celebrant and their organization.

What led you to humanist ceremonies?

I first learned about humanist ceremonies when my friend Urtė, whom I’ve known since school and who is now also my colleague, decided to get married. Since she and her partner are not religious, they began looking for a meaningful, non-religious way to celebrate their union. While researching online, they discovered that humanist ceremonies are quite common in other countries, and Urtė became inspired to have one for her own wedding.

Because I have a background in acting, she asked me to lead the ceremony. That’s how I became the first humanist celebrant in Lithuania! After the wedding turned out to be a beautiful and meaningful experience, we decided to offer this kind of ceremony to others as well.

How did your first wedding ceremony go?

I won’t lie, I was definitely nervous! I really wanted the ceremony to live up to my friend’s expectations, especially since a wedding is such a special occasion.

At the same time, it felt easier because many of the guests were familiar faces, and their support meant a lot. I remember rehearsing a lot beforehand, I wanted the words to sound sincere and natural. That same commitment still stays with me today: I always rehearse thoroughly before each ceremony to make sure everything feels authentic and heartfelt.

What's it like to be a humanist celebrant?

It’s a truly unique experience, because I get to be with people during some of the most important moments in their lives.

Being a wedding celebrant means months of preparation — getting to know the couple, listening to their story, their inside jokes, their plans for the future — and then turning all of that into a ceremony script that genuinely reflects who they are and what they value. It’s also about supporting and guiding them as they prepare for their special day.

Leading a funeral ceremony is an equally powerful, though very different, experience. It’s a deep responsibility to find the right words to tell someone’s life story and to help their loved ones say goodbye with dignity and meaning.

Why do people choose humanist ceremonies?

People choose humanist ceremonies because they want something personal, meaningful, and true to who they are, without religious content that doesn’t reflect their beliefs.

A humanist ceremony focuses entirely on the people at the heart of it: their story, their values, their relationship with each other and with their loved ones. Whether it’s a wedding, a funeral, or a naming ceremony, each script is created from scratch, so no two ceremonies are the same.

It’s a way to mark life’s most important moments with sincerity, warmth, and authenticity.

Is there some advantage over just a civil marriage?

Yes, in Lithuania, civil marriage ceremonies are usually very short (around 10 minutes), formal, and identical for everyone. A humanist ceremony is personal, unique, and emotionally rich. It can include the couple’s story, personal vows, music, symbolic rituals, humor, and involvement of loved ones. It allows full creative freedom, takes place wherever the couple chooses, and creates a truly meaningful and memorable experience.

What was the general feedback from the couples?

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Couples often say the ceremony was the most emotional and memorable part of their wedding day. They appreciate how personal, heartfelt, and true to them it felt - many guests even assume we’ve known each other for years!

How do the attendees feel about the ceremonies?

Guests are often surprised, in a good way. Many say it’s the most beautiful and personal ceremony they’ve ever witnessed. Some laugh, some cry, and many tell me afterward that they felt deeply moved and truly connected to the couple’s story.

One of the reasons is that humanist ceremonies often include loved ones: extended family, close friends, even children from previous relationships. Everyone feels welcome, seen, and emotionally included. That creates a warm, intimate atmosphere that people remember for a long time.

What other ceremonies Laimingas Zmogus offers?

In addition to weddings, Laimingas Žmogus offers a variety of humanist ceremonies:

• Funerals and memorials – personal, respectful farewells that tell the story of the life lived.
• Baby naming ceremonies – a warm, meaningful way to welcome a child into the world.
• Vow renewals – celebrating lasting love and milestones in a couple’s journey.

What do you plan for the future of Laimingas Zmogus?

We are now preparing to offer Coming of Age ceremonies  -  meaningful, empowering celebrations for young people entering new life stages.But our work goes beyond ceremonies. We are committed to representing humanists in Lithuania, advocating for humanist values such as dignity, freedom of choice, and secularism in public life.

We believe that humanist organisations must lead by example with transparency, democracy, and responsibility in how they operate. That’s why Laimingas Žmogus follows a social entrepreneurship model: our activities are funded not by donations, but by offering meaningful services.Through cooperation, creativity, and shared resources, we aim to build a sustainable and autonomous humanist movement.